Tweet if you love TVA! Come follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/torontoveg We’re on Facebook Join the Toronto Vegetarian Association Facebook Group to receive invitations to events and more! Want even more news? Want even more news? TVA members are entitled to a free customized version of VegE-News. Find out more.

Don't Miss These Upcoming Events!

The TVA Resource Centre March Madness Book Sell Off and Cookies Launch will happen on March 27th. Nimisha Raja takes you around the world with her Health Starts Here Cooking Series. Find out more in the TVA in Action section.

Starting April 22nd

Join health coach Nimisha Raja of Evolving Appetites, in cooperation with Whole Foods and TVA, as she takes your taste buds on an exotic journey of flavours from around the world. Nimisha is a Heart Health Speaker for the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine and an Education Alliance Member of The Cancer Project.

All menus are 100% plant based, low fat and full of fibre. You’ll receive copies of the recipes to take home, and sample everything we make in class. Nimisha’s teaching style is fun and relaxed, and she always provides additional resources for you to explore after class. She’ll explain the nutrient value of the ingredients in each recipe and answer your nutrition related questions. Find a full listing of class descriptions and recipes at veg.ca/healthyeating.

1. Thursday, April 22nd
7 - 9 pm
Eating for the Earth – healthy planet, healthy bodies

2. Thursday, May 6th
7 - 9 pm
Eat right for your heart under the Sultan’s tent

3. Thursday, May 20th
7 - 9 pm
Mamma Mia! - Vegan Italian

4. Thursday, May 27th
7 - 9 pm
A Healthy Taste of Thai

Where? Whole Foods teaching kitchen, located at 87 Avenue Rd, Toronto, ON M5R 3R9

How Much? Classes are $30 each or all 4 in the series for $100.

Registration? Please call 416.944.0500 for more information or to register for any of these unique classes. Unless otherwise stated, please register in person at the customer service desk or by phone. Space is limited to 14 students so don't delay.

Find a full listing of class descriptions and more information at veg.ca/healthyeating.

Please enquire about recipe specifics if you have food allergies.

Easter Chocolate Special!

Boardwalk Chocolates (Vegan, fairtrade & handmade, boardwalkchocolates.com ) has rescheduled their Chocolate Party and Lickin' the Beaters 2  Book Launch! Join them at Panacea Eco Shop , March 18, 2010 from 7 to 9pm. Free to attend and Free Samples!

Tired of all those chocolate bunnies and eggs this time of year? Vegans don't eat the real things, why should we be reminded of them when eating chocolate? Boardwalk Chocolates has created the Bunny Buttons. Hand painted hollow 4" spheres with organic jelly beans inside. All colours are vegan and organic. Each Bunny Button is different. They are being sold at: Panacea (588 Bloor St W), and online at www.EthicalOcean.com .

Now offering.....

Panacea (588 Bloor St W, w. of Bathurst, 647-350-3269) sent out a quick note to let everyone know that the much desired and long awaited.....Daiya Vegan Cheese is NOW AVAILABLE at PANACEA!! They have the Italian Blend Shred 400g ($11.49) and the Cheddar Style Shred 450g ($12.99). Not only does this shredded product melt, but it stretches! Your Vegetarian Discount Card will get you 5% off!

Camros Organic Eatery (at CCNM) (1255 Sheppard Ave E, at Leslie subway, 416-960-0723) has opened a brand new 100% organic juice and smoothie bar inside our North York branch at CCNM!  They write "we are excited about our in-house delicious juice and smoothie recipes that give you nutritional and energy boosts during your busy days. Blends such as "Soothing Tonic", "Brain Booster", and "Funky Pumpy" await you.100% organic... zero fillers... served in biodegradable cups (the straws are biodegradable too). No surprise ingredients.To make this the most trustworthy juicebar in town, we even make our ice with filtered water!"  They serve the same vegan aromatic Persian cuisine as their downtown plus breakfast. Their contract requires that they also serve some non-vegetarian options.

The Annex HodgePodge (258 Dupont St., e. of Spadina, 416-513-1333, theannexhodgepodge.com) has just contacted us about being listed in our catering section, see what they can offer you here . Your Vegetarian Discoutnt Card will get you 10% off. 

Meal Deals!

Fresh on Spadina (www.freshrestaurants.ca )  offers meal deals on  weekdays between 3 and 6 pm at all locations. Their meal deals are offered “while quantities last” so be sure to come in sooner rather than later in order to get one. Each day they will select one meal and one juice and offer it at half-price to our customers. Meal deals are NOT available for phone in orders.

Ingredients Update:

Joe Yee Vegetarian Cuisine (9688 Leslie St. Unit 17-18, s. of Major Mackenzie Dr. E, Richmond Hill, 905-884-6882) was reviewed on BlogTO recenlty. Contrary to the article, there is no vegan sashimi/sushi. All the mock fish contains dairy (and some of the mock meats as well). Karam writes: "If you're vegan and going for sushi you might as well eat at your local sushi spot. No brown rice either which is pretty common downtown...They do have vegan dishes, but you have to ask your waiter as they are not marked (that was a bit of an ordeal, he had to go back to the kitchen a few times to verify). It was still a good meal but I was very disappointed because I thought I was going to eat vegan sashimi etc.The omnivores i went with enjoyed the sushi pizza and the mock salmon sashimi. I would say it's suitable for ovo-lacto-vegetarians but not vegans." They are a Chinese and Japanese restaurant in Richmond Hill.

Today Liam and John give a review of their lunch from Bo de Duyen.  Both of the podcast hosts were pleased with their mock chicken curry and the noodle dish.  They were especially pleased with the price. 

Jason and Angela send word that they are doing cartwheels over the news that Daiya vegan cheese can be found at Panacea.  They suggest that it tastes great and is the pefect cheese replacement. 

The two podcasters discuss a story that was sent to them by Colleen about a young child with autism and the success that his family has encountered after incorporating a vegan diet into their home.  John notes that stories like this are fairly common. 

Lastly, it needs to be mentioned that there will be a TVA open house on Saturday, March 27th from 12 to 5 p.m. at the Resource Centre.  Why should you come to this event?  There will be some discounted books and some cookies made from Vegan Cookies Invade Your Cookie Jar.  More news to come on this in upcoming podcast episodes.  

This episode is a milked turtle 24 minutes.  

Listen Now!

Today Liam and John discuss Liam's recent eating extravaganza.  He has been converted to Sadie's Diner and has found the vegan milkshake that he has been craving.  He also reports that eating at Raw Aura was a great experience and he really liked the raw nachos; Liam affectionately refers to the food here as "dense", signifying that he went home satiated. 

John reports back with regards to Colleen's assertion that the chickpea-hijiki sammiches from Vegan With A Vegeance are the best sandwiches ever.  While John feels they are quite good he doesn't believe they fall under the category of "best ever". 

Other information discussed on today's podcast:
- Nimisha Raja's cooking classes
- cannellini beans vs. white kidney beans; garbanzo beans vs. chickpeas; hazel nuts vs. filberts
- Teatree Cafe and Eatery

This episode is a fear-inducing 27 minutes.

Listen Now!

Want to get some tools and tips on how to improve your health without making any sacrifices? Registration is still open for Nimisha Raja's Cooking Series at Whole Foods. As these classes are part of PCRM's Cancer Project nutrition and cooking series, each class will feature a video nutrition lecture from The Cancer Project's Eating Right for Cancer Survival DVD, followed by a cooking demonstration of simple and healthy dishes, which attendees will be able to sample.

You can sign up for one class, eight classes, or anything in between! See below for full details on this weekend's class and more information on the rest. More information can also be found at veg.ca/healthyeating.

Week One: Favouring Fibre

Fibre helps your body rid itself of toxins, waste hormones, excess cholesterol, chemicals and other undesirables. Without fibre in the diet, these excess compounds can get reabsorbed into the bloodstream, leading to a possible increased risk of cancer growth.  Additionally, fibre is especially important in helping the immune system function properly as well as facilitating the removal of waste from the body. In this class, enjoy a fibre-rich meal as you work towards your goal of 40 grams of fibre per day.

Recipes for this class:
Guacamole Plus
Quick Bean Burritos
Tomato Corn Salsa

Where? Whole Foods Teaching Kitchen (87 Avenue Rd)

When? Sunday, February 28, 2:00 - 3:30 pm

How much?  $30 for each class, $100 for any four classes or all 8 classes for $180 - includes sample tastes of all recipes prepared

Registration?  Please call 416.944.0500 for more information or to register for any of these unique classes. Unless otherwise stated, please register in person at the customer service desk or by phone.

Other Upcoming Classes

Don't miss your chance to register today before space fills up! Find more details at veg.ca/healthyeating.

Join Toronto Vegetarian Association's Executive Director, David Alexander, as he speaks about his piece "The Tofu Revolution: Toronto's Vegetarians from 1945 to 2009 and Beyond", featured in The Edible City.

The Edible City: Toronto's Food from Farm to Fork is a compilation of essays exploring Toronto's food scene. David Alexander and other contributors will be reading from and discussing their essays.

Where? Hart House Debates Room

When? Monday, March 1st at 7 pm

Refreshments will be provided and local food producers will be serving food as well. This event is being hosted by The Hart House Social Justice and Literary & Library Committee. Check out their Facebook event for more details.

Valentine's Day Specials:

Vegetarian Haven (17 Baldwin St, www.vegetarianhaven.com , 416-621-3636) has a special Valentine's Day only menu. Reservations are recommened.  Some choices include: "a curry buttercup squash soup with coconut milk topped with baked puff pastry stripes, smoked tofu and tempeh in BBQ sauce with sautéed fava beans, carrot, daikon radish, and jicama, topped with sweet potato crispy noodles & dill, cornered by seasoned quinoa on radicchio leaves". Leave room for a luscious dessert of "chocolate fudge cake with mint lavender cream icing and chocolate dipped fresh strawberries."

Boardwalk Chocolates (Vegan, fairtrade & handmade, www.boardwalkchocolates.com )  UPDATE:  They write "Sorry I have to cancel the chocolate party - a friend died. I'll reschedule in March during National Chocolate week" Facebook event page.

Rashmi's Veg Cakes (80 Pertosa Dr, Brampton, www.vegcakes.com , 905-970-0666) are offering Valentine's Day savings on their vegetarian, egg free, nut free and Halal cakes. Click here for the promotion details and Valentines Day cake designs.

New to the directory:

By the Park Realty Inc. Brokerage (www.livinginmytoronto.com, 647-339-9711)
They are a vegetarian family run brokerage based in Toronto.
Their description: "Are You Looking to Buy, Sell, or Lease a Condo or House in the GTA? Enlist the Help of the 100% Vegan/Vegetarian team at By the Park Realty Inc. Brokerage. Conrad Rygier Donates 10% of His Commission to Animal Rights Causes/Charities."

Cruda Cafe (St Lawrence Market, 92 Front St E, www.crudacafe.com ) is now open! They are a food court style establishment.  Find them in the lower level of the South market, by the elevators. Their description: "Cruda Cafe (meaning RAW in Spanish) is the most vibrant, vegan cafe in the heart of downtown Toronto, located inside the beautiful St. Lawrence Market landmark. We serve vegan organic living foods available for eat in, take out and catering."

 Sprouts for Life (Hwy 9 & Jane St., Kettleby, www.sproutsforlife.ca, 905-778-8574)
They are "growers of Certified Organic Sprouts! Sunflower Greens, Wheatgrass, Pea Shoots, Alfalfa, Red Clover, Big Crunch, Sandwich Booster, Salad Mix, Broccoli, Radish, Nutty Sprout Mix, and Crunchy Bean Mix."

Address changes and expansions:

Now in the Junction, no longer in the Beaches:
Optimum Natural Foods (2865 Dundas St. W, 416-693-5328)
They sell bulk food items, but no produce. 

Second loation in Newmarket:
Ambrosia Natural Foods (16925 Yonge St, near Mulock, www.ambrosianaturalfoods.com, 905-898-5262) 

Now offering delivery:

Pulp Kitchen Juicebar & Eatery (1129 Queen St E, e. of Pape, www.pulpkitchen.ca ) now offers food delivery. Go to www.orderit.ca - and look under the "Healthy Options" category. They are an open and airy full service vegetarian restaurant and juice bar. Wraps, veggie burgers, salads, all day breakfast and much more.

A new find:

Caroline writes "I stumbled across a coffee shop with a vegan sandwich on the board. It was labelled as vegan with Tofurky veganaise etc." Drop in to Cafe  260 and let them know how great it is to offer this vegan option. (www.cafe260.com, 260 Richmond St. E, East of Jarvis)

Closures:

Prerna - Inspired Indian Cuisine  (790 Broadview Ave, www.prerna.ca ) Closed as of January 11, 2010
Magic Oven (788 Broadview Ave (at Danforth), location.  Next closest location is 798 Danforth Ave (e. of Pape), 416-462-0333)

Today John is joined by Colleen to discuss the merits of cashew milk.  It was a serious conversation until John brought up the term "nut bag".  Colleen is really happy with the cashew milk she makes, and even happier that it doesn't require another space-eating gadget in order to make the recipe.

Other topics of conversation on this week's podcast:
- Colleen gives her opinions on Vegan Cookies Invade Your Cookie Jar and her latest trip to Fressen
- The defensive omnivore bingo card
- Colleen's favourite sandwich recipe

This week's episode is a vegan rocked 30 minutes.

Listen Now!

Indulge and Inspire

Unlike other holidays, there are currently no traditions that exist for celebrating Family Day - so we're starting a new one - Vegetarian Potluck Day!

CLICK HERE to download our registration form and start planning your vegetarian potluck today.

You have the opportunity to demonstrate that choosing a vegetarian diet is healthy, easy and delicious. Celebrate Family Day with your loved ones, and raise money to support the Toronto Vegetarian Association by hosting a vegetarian potluck fundraiser. Our hope is that there will be numerous vegetarian potlucks happening all over the city.

50 Reasons to Host a Potluck

The average vegetarian saves the lives of 50 animals every year. Hosting a vegetarian potluck means you can:

•    Help TVA raise funds for our new programs such as Compassion Week and a Meatless Monday campaign 
•    Win TVA t-shirts and books from our resource centre by helping TVA gain new members and donors!
•    Share the benefits of a healthier, greener and more peaceful lifestyle with friends and family
•    Show your non-vegetarian friends how easy it is to cook vegetarian food, and how delicious and diverse vegetarian food is
•    Give your friends free materials to promote vegetarianism in the GTA, including copies of the Vegetarian Directory

It's as Easy as Vegan Sweet Potato Pie!

Just click the link below to register your potluck using our downloadable form and send it in to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it today! We'll send you a package with materials and suggestions to bring your potluck to life!

CLICK HERE to download our registration form and register your vegetarian potluck today! 

	Tweet if you love TVA! Come follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/torontoveg We’re on Facebook Check out the event pages for Vegan Rock and Vegetarian Potluck Day. Join the Toronto Vegetarian Association Facebook Group to receive invitations to events and more! Want even more news? Want even more news? TVA members are entitled to a free customized version of VegE-News. Find out more.

Bring on the events!

With our calendars reminding us of two holidays this month - Valentine's Day and Family Day, many people are brainstorming ideas for getting together with their loved ones and celebrating. And we've got more than a few suggestions for combining your desire to spend quality time with friends and family with your passion for a vegetarian lifestyle.

The 2nd Annual Vegan Rock concert is happening February 4th, Rancho Relaxo is holding a special buffet dinner, and we're inviting everyone to join us in starting a new tradition for Family Day by hosting a vegetarian potluck.   

If that's not enough to keep you busy, Nimisha Raja's hosting another round of her Cancer Project Cooking Series, this time with four new classes!

But February is cause for celebration not only because of the designated holidays, but also because of fantastic news for farm animals, as Toronto's Walk for Farm Animals announces record breaking fundraising, and the stats start to show fewer animals are actually being killed for food.

This month, learn about chickens in Bonnie Shulman's Animal Profile of the Month, and kale in Karen Soper's Nutritious Food of the Month.

Don't Miss These Upcoming Events!

Vegan Rock will happen on Thursday, February 4th and we're starting a new holiday tradition by designating Family Day, February 15th, as Vegetarian Potluck Day. Find out more in the TVA in Action section.

Today Liam is singing up a storm, but when he's not he and John spend some time talking about the fur industry.  John vents about how the Fur Council of Canada suggests that purchasing fur is an eco-conscious decision.  He also thinks that maybe those wearing fur deserve a pie in the face.  Liam responds with his list of pies that can be thrown in people's faces in response to a news item from earlier this week.  

The two also spend some time discussing:
- vegan cheese options
- different events coming up in Toronto
- vegetarian potlucks for Family Day

This episode is a pie in the sky 29 minutes.

Listen Now!